2019 Tchaikovsky Piano Competition

[Rach3]

Started today. Can watch live or on replays. Good sound,video. Website improved over 2015.

https://tch16.medici.tv/en/piano/

I heard Shishkin just now live, only one I'll hear today. Plan to hear only Kopachevsky Wed. and only Boberg ( USA ) Thursday. Then see who makes into next round, start viewing again next in that round.

If convenient, time permits, would appreciate your recommendations on any performances you felt were special.I’ll try as well.Good listening.

[Rach3]

If convenient, time permits, would appreciate your recommendations on any performances you felt were special.I’ll try as well.

Decided to hear one more of the June 18 recitals,Emelyanov's,because he was the only one June 18 who played a sonata (Haydn) other than a Beethoven.

Lucky choice. He's a musician. Hear Emelyanov.

[Belle]

I didn't know there was a separate webpage for the Tchaikovsky Piano Competition and I'd been looking for it everywhere on MediciTV! Anyway, my internet reception just isn't good enough to watch these most of the time and for this reason I've had to cancel my subscription on 26 July.

Just watching one of these this (early) morning the replayed broadcast was constantly dropping out. I note all the Asian competitors. One upon a time it was Jews who were hugely represented in art music and now it's Asians. (I only observed this morning to my husband that the Chinese population went from peasants to parvenus virtually overnight, with no period in between! When we were married they were all still wearing those drab grey uniforms!)

[Rach3]

The link I provided does not require a Medici subscription ; it's free live,free replays VOD.

If you have a slow internet connection ( my download connection is 60-80 Mbps , had no issue so far today or with Medici generally ) , suggest avoiding peak Internet useage hours in your area, in my area usually 4 pm - 10 pm.

[Rach3]

Another suggestion would be to use the "Replay" option, may be more convenient than live on Moscow time ( 7 hours ahead of US EDT ), and Replay uses less download speed.A specific replay is posted very quickly after the live recital ends, usually within 1-2 hours so far.

https://tch16.medici.tv/en/replay/#filt ... ment=piano

[Belle]

Another suggestion would be to use the "Replay" option, may be more convenient than live on Moscow time ( 7 hours ahead of US EDT ), and Replay uses less download speed.A specific replay is posted very quickly after the live recital ends, usually within 1-2 hours so far.

https://tch16.medici.tv/en/replay/#filt ... ment=piano

Thanks a lot. My download speed is only 47.5, which is outrageous. I have the same trouble with the 'replay' function. And for this I pay $215 per month!!

[Rach3]

And for this I pay $215 per month!!

Mine is approx. US $ 75/mo. But, your shiraz is better.

[Rach3]

May also be a browser issue as not all browsers work equally well for a given site. I use a desktop I-Mac using either Safari or Firefox equally well.

[Rach3]

I heard just 3 of the 8 First Round recitals yesterday, 2 of the 9 today,so obviously may have missed some worth hearing.Plan to hear 3 of the final First Round recitals tomorrow, Thurs. Apparently, we’ll know by late afternoon Thursday US time which 12 of the 25 advance to Second Round solo recitals.

I do think Shishkin, Emelyanov from June 18 , Kopachevsky from June 19, worth hearing, fww.

[Belle]

And for this I pay $215 per month!!

Mine is approx. US $ 75/mo. But, your shiraz is better.

I'll try to remember the Shiraz when my speeds grow lower!! Complained yesterday to the provider, in the office, and he said, 'it's Australia'! I had told him about your better speeds. Sigh.

I'm disappointed to be missing this competition. I watched the Chopin last time it was on and don't remember having ANY download problems - and that was before our national broadband roll out!!! Mine is a desktop Acer and only 15 months old; I use Google Chrome - though recently problems downloading U-Tube resulted in a home visit by a technician, who couldn't explain why it happened. Just wasn't able to watch anything. Honestly; the technology becomes more difficult, not easier. We just got a Galaxy Tab2 to complement our Galaxy 9 android and this is an improvement from the little screen when it comes to accessing the internet away from the desktop. The monthly bills for technology and subscriptions are racking up as we also have "pay" TV (not to mention Medici). I dropped the Berliner Philharmoniker Digital Concert hall because of poor internet speeds and boredom with their programming.

[Rach3]

Honestly; the technology becomes more difficult, not easier... The monthly bills for technology and subscriptions are racking up as we also have "pay" TV (not to mention Medici).

Similar problems here. We have met the enemy and he is us.Or as our PT Barnum used to say.....

[Rach3]

I heard just 3 of the 8 First Round recitals yesterday, 2 of the 9 today,so obviously may have missed some worth hearing.Plan to hear 3 of the final First Round recitals tomorrow, Thurs. Apparently, we’ll know by late afternoon Thursday US time which 12 of the 25 advance to Second Round solo recitals.
I do think Shishkin, Emelyanov from June 18 , Kopachevsky from June 19, worth hearing, fww.

Added one more complete recital today.Must -see TV for pianophiles, IMHO:

Mao Fujita (20 ) , Japan

Holy cow !

https://tch16.medici.tv/en/replay/first ... ao-fujita/
Bach : WTC Book 1, No.20
Mozart: Sonata K.330
Tchaikovsky: “Dumka” , Op. 59
Chopin, Op.25,No.11
Rachmaninoff: Op.39, # 5
Liszt, TE # 10

[Rach3]

I'll try to remember the Shiraz when my speeds grow lower!! Complained yesterday to the provider, in the office, and he said, 'it's Australia'! I had told him about your better speeds. Sigh.

I'm far from knowledgeable, but if you have download speed of 40-50 Mbps, my guess the problem is not your speed between you and your ISP , but rather a problem between your ISP and their upstream source/connection which causes your ISP to lose its connection periodically.

[Rach3]

Another must-see for pianophiles:

Alexander Malofeev,Russia, age 17

https://tch16.medici.tv/en/replay/first ... malofeev-/

Bach, WTC 2, Prelude and Fugue in A minor,BWV 889
Beethoven, “ Appassionata”
Tchaikovsky, “Dumka” , Op.59
Chopin, Op.25, # 11
Liszt, TE # 4, “Mazeppa”

Stunning.

[Belle]

Honestly; the technology becomes more difficult, not easier... The monthly bills for technology and subscriptions are racking up as we also have "pay" TV (not to mention Medici).

Similar problems here. We have met the enemy and he is us.Or as our PT Barnum used to say.....

"I sent my soul into the invisible,
Some lesson of the afterlife to tell;
And by and by my soul came back to me and said,
'I myself am heaven and hell'".

[Belle]

Another must-see for pianophiles:

Alexander Malofeev,Russia, age 17

https://tch16.medici.tv/en/replay/first ... malofeev-/

Bach, WTC 2, Prelude and Fugue in A minor,BWV 889
Beethoven, “ Appassionata”
Tchaikovsky, “Dumka” , Op.59
Chopin, Op.25, # 11
Liszt, TE # 4, “Mazeppa”

Stunning.

I was a bit disappointed with this obvious favourite, Malofeev. I thought he was somewhat rushed and glib in the Chopin, lacking nuance. He has played out here in Australia last year. Though he has all the technical elements, I feel he's not ready to win this prestigious competition.

I'm catching up on all the players in the First Round (whenever my internet speed allows) and so far the Japanese pianist (of your 'holy cow' comment) has pleased the most. Haven't even caught up with the other sections of the competition yet!!

I note that we hardly ever see competitors from Scandinavia in these kinds of competitions. Held anywhere. Any ideas about why this might be so?

[John F]

The luck of the draw, I guess. Ceertainly there have been quite a few outstanding Scandinavian pianists, such as Gunnar Johansen (Denmark) and Leif Ove Andsnes (Norway). Neither of them entered any competitions; they didn't need to, having successfully launched their careers in their 20s.

[maestrob]

The luck of the draw, I guess. Ceertainly there have been quite a few outstanding Scandinavian pianists, such as Gunnar Johansen (Denmark) and Leif Ove Andsnes (Norway). Neither of them entered any competitions; they didn't need to, having successfully launched their careers in their 20s.

That's the trouble with competitions. I had many really good singers in my semi-finals concerts in Carnegie Hall who were snapped up by management who attended the events and thus became unavailable for the finals.

Belle:

I've had the same trouble accessing youtube with Chrome, which is otherwise a fine browser. My solution (suggested by Lance, actually) is to use Internet Explorer (Microsoft) just for youtube links, and it works fine.

[John F]

I've used Firefox for years and since I upgraded my computer (faster speed, more memory), audio and video streams including YouTube have come through without a hitch. I recommend Firefox without qualifications. Changing browsers is easier and cheaper than changing computers, but it's possible that may have something to do with your YouTube problem. If you have too little memory, the operating system uses the hard drive as "virtual memory" and swaps data in and out as needed - guaranteed to slow things down.

Another possibility might be the bandwidth your internet service provider gives you.Spectrum, formerly Time Warner Cable, provides me with 236 mbs downloads, 12 mbs uploads. You can test your internet connection speed here:

https://www.speedtest.net/

[Rach3]

I heard only 15 of the 25 Round 1 .

Round 2 on now will be 14.For various reasons, the only ones I'll follow in Round 2 are Emelyanov,Kopachevsky,Broberg,Geniushene and possibly Kim.That certainly does not mean the others are not worth hearing.

[maestrob]

Hey, that was fun!

I got a score of 70.78 for downloads and 5.61 for uploads: I guess that's pretty good. I've actually only rarely had a problem with receiving the music posted here, so no complaints at all.

Thanks!

[John F]

It occurs to me that one reason people might have this kind of trouble now that they didn't have before is that many streams are now high definition, meaning many more bits per second have to make it to your computer and be processed there. Just guessing.

There are a lot of other factors that affect internet downloads, more than I thought of. If you're curious (and have the time), here's an article about it.

https://www.quora.com/Is-an-internet-sp ... -mbps-good

[Rach3]

If you lose connection, I have found re-loading or refreshing the page often works immediately. Maybe the signal takes a different path ? Or maybe it's the Russians.

[Belle]

Thanks everyone, for the help and advice.

[John F]

If you lose connection, I have found re-loading or refreshing the page often works immediately. Maybe the signal takes a different path ? Or maybe it's the Russians.

I believe the computer sets aside some memory as a buffer so that the download stream arrives before it's needed to display. Restarting or refreshing could renew the buffer. Who knows how this stuff works? The folks at Forumania's Tech Sector do, and I recommend then as a source of information and help such as they used to provide on CompuServe. Registration is easy and free.

https://www.forumania.com/forum/tech-sector

[Ricordanza]

You can test your internet connection speed here:

https://www.speedtest.net/

I have Verizon FIOS. My results were:
Download 91.35
Upload 118.96


Is that good?

[Rach3]

I have Verizon FIOS. My results were:
Download 91.35
Upload 118.96
Is that good?

I think it is very good
Belated best wishes for your wife's recovery.

[John F]

I have Verizon FIOS. My results were:
Download 91.35
Upload 118.96


Is that good?

It's certainly good enough for downloading files and viewing most video streams, though I'm not sure about online games (I don't do that). Your upload speed is exceptional; usually it's about 1/10 of that. Maybe that's related to the FiOS connection, which is inherently faster than ordinary cable such as I have or DSL which I used to have. People who upload or transmit large files could use the extra speed, but as I almost never do either of those things, the 10 mbps I get from Spectrum is more than enough.

[Belle]

I'm really enjoying the replays as much as technology will allow - and the weather here is magnificently cold. Very impressed with (Japanese) Mao Fujita!

[Rach3]

It's been very warm -- in Moscow ! -- this week ( 29-31C.), and the Hall has no A/C.

[Belle]

Any predictions for prize winners?

[Rach3]

Any predictions for prize winners?

These are the 7 finalists.The Final 2-concerto round starts Tuesday, June 25. One of the Tchaikovsky concertos, pianist to choose, is required, the other concerto is pianist's choice. I'd be surprised if PIT # 3 is chosen by any.

Konstantin Emelyanov, 25, Russia
Dmitriy Shishkin, 27, Russia
An Tianxu, 20, China
Alexey Melnikov, 29, Russia
Alexandre Kantorow, 22, France
Mao Fujita, 20, Japan
Kenneth Broberg, 26, United States of America

I have heard some of the playing of all finalists except Melnikov. So far, of these 7, I am most impressed with Emelyanov,Shishkin, and Tianxu. I did not feel Kantorow should be in Finals ; would have picked Kopachevsky over him.

My " winner " so far would be Emelyanov ; suspect he, Shishkin,Tianxu are " leading" , but the jury also seems to like Kantorow for some reason. I also do not know if scores carry-over,ie are cumulative; or whether they all start all over again, from 0, in the concerto round so winner would be based just on concerto round.

[Rach3]

I also do not know if scores carry-over,ie are cumulative; or whether they all start all over again, from 0, in the concerto round so winner would be based just on concerto round.

Appears cumulative :

https://tch16.com/en/rules/ ( Jury Rules button )

[John F]

The jury for the piano competition is:

Denis Matsuev (Chair), Russia
Michel Béroff, France
Barry Douglas, Ireland
Nelson Freire, Brazil
Pavel Gililov, Germany
Freddy Kempf, Germany / United Kingdom
Ming Qiang Li, China
Vladimir Ovchinnikov, Russia
Piotr Paleczny, Poland
Boris Petrushansky, Russia
Menahem Pressler, USA / Israel

I'd say that's a blue-ribbon group. Oddly, none of their names is above the letter P.

[Rach3]

They will all play the PIT PC # 1 except Yemelyanov who will play PIT # 2.

The other PC's:


Yemelyanov Prokofiev 3
Shishkin Prokofieff 3
An Rach Rhapsody
Melnikov Rach 3
Kantorow Brahms 2
Fujita Rach 3
Broberg Rach Rhapsody

[Belle]

I cannot load or watch any of the replays, so I'll have to follow your comments on the competition. My computer speed just isn't fast enough: 47!!! I've been told I just cannot get anything faster. Third world.

[Rach3]

I cannot load or watch any of the replays, so I'll have to follow your comments on the competition. My computer speed just isn't fast enough: 47!!! I've been told I just cannot get anything faster. Third world.

Perhaps good news: Today Medici TV has announced it had overwhelming response over the weekend and had server problems resulting in some videos not connecting.I suspect the issue was most acute with piano. Try again.My non expert opinion would be your 47 speed should be fast enough especially for replays. I got some “ can’t find the server” messages from my browser late afternoon here Sunday when I tried to connect to see what concertos the final 7 would play, thought something I may have fouled up or perhaps replays were taken down after live was over,but now seems problem may have been Medici. Fww.

[Rach3]

Perhaps good news: Today Medici TV has announced it had overwhelming response over the weekend and had server problems resulting in some videos not connecting.I suspect the issue was most acute with piano.

Ah, yes, my browser can now find the Medici server so was not me. A friend in Holland had no trouble so problem probably did depend in part where you live,further from Moscow the worse ? Another suggestion would be to listen to the Finals live in real time as I suspect most will now watch replays,especially on a weekday as will be all 3 Final days.Big time difference of course may make that impractical. First Final day starts real time tomorrow,Tues., June 25, at 6 pm Moscow time.

From Medici : " This weekend, the #TCH16 website saw an overwhelming amount of traffic. After just the first week, we've surpassed the viewing record from the previous edition of the competition and have already hit 10 million views from 180 countries! We are amazed at this unprecedented enthusiasm and thank you sincerely for this incredible show of support.Because of the extremely high demand on our servers, somany of you may have had difficulty tuning in to certain videos. We apologize for this inconvenience and are doing everything we can to ensure that the stream remains accessible to everyone. Thank you again for your support and patience!"

[Belle]

I cannot load or watch any of the replays, so I'll have to follow your comments on the competition. My computer speed just isn't fast enough: 47!!! I've been told I just cannot get anything faster. Third world.

Perhaps good news: Today Medici TV has announced it had overwhelming response over the weekend and had server problems resulting in some videos not connecting.I suspect the issue was most acute with piano. Try again.My non expert opinion would be your 47 speed should be fast enough especially for replays. I got some “ can’t find the server” messages from my browser late afternoon here Sunday when I tried to connect to see what concertos the final 7 would play, thought something I may have fouled up or perhaps replays were taken down after live was over,but now seems problem may have been Medici. Fww.

Thanks so much for this!! I wondered about it myself, but I've just had an sms saying "routine maintenance will result in your internet service possibly being down for at least 4 hours on 25 June"!! Sigh. Second time in the last month. Quick: get the carrier pigeons out!! Or the Pony Express!!

[maestrob]

10 million views from 180 countries is vastly impressive: I hope to hear replays of the winners when they are chosen. Frankly, I've had issues with medici.tv before, so have avoided this thread, but not through lack of interest.

[Belle]

I'm way behind the piano competition and have lost track. I will look here for any updates.

[Rach3]

I'm way behind the piano competition and have lost track. I will look here for any updates.

Dont rely on me !!☺ The jurors did not agree with all my choices for the Finals this time.Nor did they in 2011 or 2015 for Finals or Gold.

Might want to start with the Round 2 solo recitals of the 7 who made the Finals.

[Belle]

I'm way behind the piano competition and have lost track. I will look here for any updates.

Dont rely on me !!☺ The jurors did not agree with all my choices for the Finals this time.Nor did they in 2011 or 2015 for Finals or Gold.

Might want to start with the Round 2 solo recitals of the 7 who made the Finals.

But you'll be discussing the prize-winners, I feel sure. I've just been catching up tonight on previous stages and two finals, including the Chinese fellow who got a shock when they played the work he wasn't expecting.

I'm calling the results early: Emelyanov!! This guy has got the IT factor. What a stunning performance of the transcription of Tchaikovsky Symphony #6 third movement. Wow factor 100!!! He's got the cool, the poise, the presentation and talent in spades. My second place is Mao Fujita who is quite extraordinary!!

[Rach3]

I'm calling the results early: Emelyanov!!

Turns out,I am enthusiastic about Yemelyanov, too, in fact even after his Round One recital, at the time telling members at another Classical on-line group to be sure to hear his Round One recital. His Round 2 was also excellent.He had the bad luck ( usually ) of having to go first in the Finals, but I thought he did a wonderful job in the Prokofieff 3rd and PIT # 1 concertos.He will have stiff competition from Shishkin and An and Fujita ( all 3 of whom I also liked, but not as well as Yemelyanov). For some reason , the jury also likes Kantorow ( I did not ). I understand the voting is supposed to be cumulative over the entire Competition , but the two who play on the last day of the Finals may also have advantage for that reason.

For several reasons, in the Finals I am hearing only both the concertos of Yemelyanov,An's Rhapsody only,and Kantorow's Brahms 2nd only,so I wont be much " help."

[Belle]

The scandalous re-arrangement of An's piece for the final performance has probably put him out of contention. Presumably you've heard about that. He didn't have a clue until the orchestra struck the first note that the order of business had been reversed!!! This will probably cost him the top prize as he was incredibly rattled by the experience, as you will see. He was offered another chance to perform the pieces again but declined.

[Rach3]

Fww, suggest you hear both Kantorow's concertos, PIT # 2 and Brahms # 2, not often competition fare.Despite my reservations after hearing Kantorow's Round 1 solo recital ( so much so I did not hear his Round 2 solo recital ), he had a great day with his concertos. I will have heard only Yemelyanov and Kantorow ( both concertos each ),possibly Broberg's Rach Rhapsody only tomorrow, but must say advantage Kantorow. The Rhapsody,Prokofieff 3 are not Brahms 2.The Rach 3 players have their work cut out for them.Kantorow may have a bias in his favor as 1986 Gold medal winner and 2019 juror Douglas played Brahms # 1 in Finals against Natalia Trull’s Prokofieff # 3. Brahms # 2 is a long -standing fav work for juror Freire. The Rach Rhapsody is not Brahms # 2. Nor is Prokofieff # 3.

[Belle]

I'll catch up with those performances in the next day or so, depending on internet reliability. I think the Brahms #2 makes different demands on players - one of which is stamina, as it's just so long. But it generally requires a more poetic approach than the pyrotechnics required for Rach #3 or PIT #1. Speaking of the latter, I'm curious as to why Trifonov opened the competition by playing the PIT #1, when it was going to be heard over and over in the ensuing days!!!! I'll not complain if I never hear it again in my life.

Truth be told, I'm over the piano concerto in toto from the time of Mozart through to Rachmaninov - including Prokofiev and Bartok. For me, Ravel G Major and Brahms #2 remain the single staples in this diet. As I've aged my tastes have changed, as they have with wine and food.

[Rach3]

For me, Ravel G Major and Brahms #2 remain the single staples in this diet. As I've aged my tastes have changed, as they have with wine and food.

Trifonov may have played PIT # 1 on request from Putin. MRGA.

Ravel G is great, but the real jewel is his Left Hand PC.

Someday listen to Norweigan Gierr Tviett’s PC #1 and #5, at YT I believe.With a shiraz.

[Belle]

Thanks for the heads up on those new concerti for piano. Shiraz? I don't actually drink more than the occasional Chardonnay, to be honest.

[Belle]

It's Kantorow!! The Frenchman. A shock win.